5.11 SEC

31.0 INCH

115.0 INCH

7.12 SEC

4.30 SEC

Overview

Unlike his predecessor, Sam Bradford, Jones chose to return to Oklahoma for his senior year to help the Sooners win a BCS title, and probably to hang around with wife, Whitney Hand, a star guard for the Sooners? women?s basketball squad. That job was made a bit harder with the offseason suspensions of three receivers, but even more important for his draft stock is his ability to consistently perform under pressure.

Jones expected to watch Bradford run the Sooners? offense in 2009, but Bradford?s separated throwing shoulder put the young redshirt freshman in the spotlight more quickly than anticipated. He was voted the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year while starting 10 of 13 games played, including a 418-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 31-27 Sun Bowl win over Stanford. The one-time Gatorade New Mexico High School Player of the Year didn?t have to battle Bradford for the starting job as a sophomore, as the Rams selected him No. 1 overall in the 2010 draft. Jones took advantage of the situation, winning the Sammy Baugh Award as the nation?s top college passer by completing 65.6 percent of his passes for 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns (against just 12 interceptions). Once again he played well in the postseason, garnering Fiesta Bowl Offensive Player of the Game honors with 429 yards and three passing touchdowns in the 48-20 blowout of Connecticut. Despite those late-season troubles with Ryan Broyles out of the lineup, Jones still threw for 4,483 yards and 29 scores (his touchdown production dropped partially due to the implementation of the red-zone package run by Blake Bell), and was a finalist for the Manning Award while becoming the school?s all-time passing leader. Jones? 2012 season saw him put up more gaudy statistics, although he might not have progressed into the overall quarterback many expected. He completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 4,267 yards in addition to a 30-11 TD-INT ratio. Jones? career ended with a 41-17 loss to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, in which he was 35-48 for 278 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Analysis

Strengths

Prototypical pocket passer with NFL size. Extremely productive. Can stretch the field with his arm and shows good zip on passes to all parts of the field when his feet are set. Quick release makes him very effective in the short to intermediate passing game. Challenging throws in every start, whether threading the ball versus cover-two or connecting on a back-shoulder pattern.

Weaknesses

Really struggles when under duress. Feels pressure when it isn't there. Not an elite athlete, takes time to get to hand-off spot from under center. Can move out of the pocket to escape pressure, but is usually caught up in traffic and is brought down too easily in the backfield. Confidence waxes and wanes throughout the game and season. Ball comes out of his hand poorly at times, floating across or down the field. Downfield accuracy is erratic, missing open receivers on the run; also misfires on out routes too often. Inconsistent on his touch on fades or throws over the top of defenders. Looks to the sidelines for pre-snap adjustments, looks to be confused by complex defensive looks.

NFL Comparison

Matt Cassel

Bottom Line

The NFL-sized pocket passer can be decisive and flashes the accuracy to pick apart defenses at the next level. However, his tendency to get rattled under pressure is a major issue. Also, when things start to go downhill, he lacks a short memory; his confidence is shaken. He is also inconsistent in his reads and decision making.